Title
Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp - free polar activities (kayaking, hiking, photo workshop)
Start – End
Tripcode
OTL31a26
Language
English speaking voyage
Ship
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Ushuaia - Ushuaia
Nights / Days
12 nights
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
Short description
The Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp voyage offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the wildlife-rich Weddell Sea. During this expedition in one of the most remote regions of the world, we will do all kinds of activities such as kayaking and a photography workshop. We also hope to hike and even mountaineering or camping if possible. Given the location and time of year, all these activities depend on weather, ice and wildlife conditions. If some activities prove impossible, they will be replaced by other activities and landings. This trip is a true expedition for the real adventurers.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Our voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Day 2-3: Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, we enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
Day 4-10: Entering the Weddell Sea
The great Weddell Sea features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. It is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, and rarely seen seabirds.
We may visit the following locations, depending on local conditions:
Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as we often see enormous tabular icebergs here.
Brown Bluff - Possibly the most scenic location in the northern Antarctic Continent, Brown Bluff is characterized by sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, and beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice.
Herbert Sound - We will focus our attention on the visually impressive areas of Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge.
Devil Island - This island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met.
Erebus and Terror Gulf - Here we look for new activity opportunities and may visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.
Day 11-12: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Our return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, we’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to us now, and us to them.
Day 13: There and back again
Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia with memories that will accompany you wherever your next journey lies.
Highlights you might experience
On select voyages, professional photographers will help you get the most out of your personal camera equipment
Ascend the heights to enjoy spectacular views of the polar surroundings
Few things get you closer to the Antarctic expedition experience than making camp, settling into your bivouac bag, and sleeping under the Southern Hemisphere stars
Kayaking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the beautiful blue-and-white world of the peaceful polar seas
Slabs of frozen fresh water, icebergs are the free-floating offspring of glaciers and ice shelves
These gallant-fighting, deep-diving namesakes of the French-claimed Antarctic Adélie Land are among the four penguin species on mainland Antarctica
Akin to their blue whale relatives both in size and the low frequency of their song, these "razorbacks" have asymmetrically colored faces thought to help them while hunting
Named after the British navigator and sailor James Weddell, these extensively studied seals live farther south than any other mammal
m/v Ortelius
The ice-strengthened Ortelius is thoroughly outfitted for polar exploration and, when necessary, helicopter flights.
Full ship info »Activities you can participate in
Camping
Special gear and field equipment will be provided. Camping is subject to weather, local site and environmental regulations.
Kayaking
Basic kayaking experience is of advantage, but it is not a requirement. Physical fitness is essential. Kayaking is subject to weather and prevailing ice conditions.
Hiking
There will be easy, moderate and more demanding walks available in the vicinity of the landing sites. Rubber boots with a grip sole appropriate for hiking will be provided on our motor vessels but not on our smaller sailing vessel- for our sailing vessel you should bring your own sturdy ankle-high hiking boots and gaiters.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering knowledge is preferable, but not required. Physical fitness is essential. Mountaineering must be pre-booked prior to departure. Mountaineering is subject to weather and local site conditions.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoe walking is easy and does not require any technical skills. The snowshoes will fit all boot sizes and can be used in combination with Oceanwide’s rubber boots
Photo Workshop
Participants with a special interest in photography will bring their personal photo equipment. The workshop must be pre-booked prior to departure.
Cabins & Prices
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size between 12,4 m² and 14,1 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 upper / lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
38800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
9700 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Triple Porthole
- 2 portholes
- 1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
35850 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing berth
11950 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size between 11,4 m² and 15,1 m²
- 2 portholes
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
23900 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
20315 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
11950 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 17,5 m² and 17,7 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
25200 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
21420 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
12600 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size 17,7 m²
- 3 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Small sofa
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
27000 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
22950 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Sharing berth
13500 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Superior
- Cabin size between 18,4 m² en 20,4 m²
- 2 windows (minimum)
- 1 double bed
- 1 single (sofa) bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
28800 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Single cabin
24480 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).